Attacks most often last 4 - 8 weeks. Symptoms may disappear by 3 weeks or last as long as 12 weeks.
The rash starts with a single large
The skin rashes:
- Are often pink or pale red
- Are oval in shape
- May be scaly
- May follow lines in the skin or appear in a "Christmas tree" pattern
- May itch
Signs and tests
Your health care provider can usually diagnose pityriasis rosea by the way the rash looks.
Rarely, the following tests are needed:
- A blood test to be sure it is not a form of
syphilis , which can cause a similar rash - A
skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis
Previous Section
Review Date: 10/28/2010
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of
Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
